.Supply nodes
OOB - limited supply nodes
PC2 - unlimited supply nodes, border supply
In OOB every supply node has a specific number of supply this node provides which can be affected by interactions with some units (strategic bomber - damage, engineer - repair). This enables interesting opportunities in scenario design as a player may be highly motivated to defend certain supply nodes instead of abandoning certain areas and shortening front lines. On the other hand, in PC2 such strategic supply decisions are not present. Supply decisions are limited local encirclements especially because every border tile acts as a supply node. Damaging supply nodes is also not possible.
Transparency of the supply mechanic is explicit in OOB as the UI indicates supply areas for every team. Supply values of nodes can be shown on demand with supply overlay. PC2 has no such UI and player is left guessing where the supply route weaknesses are.
Winner: OOB
Encirclement / deny supply
OOB - tactical to strategic level
PC2 - tactical level only
PC2 has infinite value supply nodes and the border of the map also provides an infinite supply
Denying supply on a large scale is mostly not possible which limits the player choice of strategy.
Winner: OOB
Unit upgrades location
OOB - upgrade for core units can happen anywhere (outside off deployment phase)
PC2 - upgrades for all units available only on supply hex only (outside off deployment phase)
Limiting the option to upgrade units gives the player an opportunity to make interesting decisions. Good planning and insight are rewarded.
Winner: PC2
Unit upgrades availability
OOB - no upgrades for auxiliary units
PC2 - upgrades for auxiliary units possible
The possibility of the upgrading of auxiliary units is potentially problematic for scenario design as it introduces another variable that depends on the player. A player with a lot of resources may turn a weak auxiliary unit into a much more powerful unit which throws the scenario out of balance.
Winner: OOB
Unit upgrades cost
OOB - upgrade penalties present, discount groups available
PC2 - no upgrade penalties, unit cost difference is paid even if negative
Having no unit upgrade penalties means less decision making possibilities as a unit upgrade can be reverted any penalties. This makes unit upgrade choice much less impactful.
Winner: OOB
Interchange the position of two adjacent units
OOB - yes
PC2 - yes (no custom hotkey)
Airforce - bombing runs
OOB - multiple bombing runs
PC2 - single bombing run
Having the option to bomb one unit with only one plane means that the player has to choose targets much more carefully. This leads to more interesting decision-making situations.
Winner: PC2
Airforce - fuel system
OOB - fuel system, landed aircraft vulnerability
PC2 - no fuel, auto return to airfield at the end of turn
Without a fuel system in PC2 there is no fuel management layer that takes away decision making from opportunity from the player. Fuel management is especially interesting when both planes and airports move separately (aircraft carrier) which requires good coordination. This is where OOB shines and it also provides the ability to damage landed aircraft which is impossible in PC2.
Winner: OOB
Organic transport
OOB - no
PC2 - yes
This feature allows a unit that is using transport to choose to move less than the maximum range in order to perform disembark action at the end at the cost of losing attack action. This makes the towed and foot units more viable and gives the player more choice when it comes to unit composition.
Winner: PC2
Leaders
OOB - scenario designer choice, single leader per unit
PC2 - random, up to 3 leaders per unit
Scenario designer choice gives better historical flavor experience but on the other hand, random leader reward increases replayability. Overall, PC2 has leaders who are more impactful as multiple leaders can be assigned to a single unit producing interesting combinations.
Winner: PC2
Captured equipment
OOB - scenario designer choice
PC2 - the player can attempt to encircle and capture
Giving the player the option to capture enemy vehicles as a game mechanic produces interesting choices. For example, capturing Matilda tanks early on gives player advantage as early German tanks are much more fragile. It also opens interesting opportunities for a campaign like the Winter War where capturing enemy equipment may be much more necessary.
Winner: PC2
Unit survivability
OOB - high
PC2 - low
OOB has built-in mechanics that help weakened units survive. For example, artillery deals less damage to units with less strength, aircraft takes less damage when low on strength. On the other hand, PC2 has mechanics that promote the opposite like overstrength and overwhelm. Making the units survive longer gives more choice and opportunity to make impactful decisions.
For example, the player can choose to encircle just to cut off enemy retreat.
Winner: OOB
Support fire
OOB - anti-tank, anti-air
PC2 - anti-tank, anti-air, infantry-support, counter-battery, destroyer-land-support
PC2 introduced multiple types of support fire and these are distributed among units as traits. Typically, smaller caliber artillery provides infantry-support and higher caliber artillery provides counter-battery fire. This gives the player a good reason to pick any of the wide range of artillery, not just the heaviest ones.
Winner: PC2
Naval combat
OOB - advanced, damaged units have penalties (attack, movement)
PC2 - basic, damaged units have no combat penalties
OOB provides complex naval combat with features such as unit maneuvering (reduced damage when moving), torpedo attacks vulnerability, carriers (carrier aircraft), damaged unit management and unit landing system (related to supply and efficiency). Naval combat in PC2 is essentially land combat on water.
Winner: OOB
Player traits
OOB - tree-like skill structure which is unlocked over time, low to medium impact (with exceptions), all skills are positive
PC2 - skills are chosen at the start and are never changed, medium to high impact, skills can be positive and negative
PC2 introduced a strength-weakness system that allows the player to take on weaknesses in order to pick up strengths. The impact of this selection is in effect from the start of the game and remains in place until the end of the campaign. This allows the player to alter the game rules to suit own playstyle. This means more interesting decisions and more replayability.
Winner: PC2
Transport supply cost
OOB - fixed, any unit transport costs the same
PC2 - variable, horse and truck transport costs 0 slots/supply, armored transport costs 1 slots/supply
Having different transport costs in terms of supply produces more interesting choices for the player.
Winner: PC2
Prototypes
OOB - scenario designer choice
PC2 - built-in mechanic
PC2 gives the player the option to use prototypes which are limited units. These can be purchased only in limited quantities. This gives the player interesting choices to make as prototype units are often difficult to reinforce but are likely to be more powerful compared to regular units.
Winner: PC2
Recon units
OOB - dedicated unit class, no combat bonuses
PC2 - no dedicated unit class (recon, tactical bomber), combat bonuses
PC2 added an interesting mechanic for recons - they provide combat bonuses for adjacent units (depends if it's a ground or air recon). Combat bonuses make other units do more damage and suffer fewer casualties. On the other hand, OOB has very little use of ground recon units.
Winner: PC2
Resource pools
OOB - separate resource pools possible for auxiliary units
PC2 - shared resource pool
OOB supports the option of having separate resource pools for different army groups. This provides the scenario with more possibilities for example "rescue isolated pocket" scenario is much better if the isolated army group has a separate resource pool so that player can't break the scenario balance with carry-over resources.
Winner: OOB
Suppression
OOB - carry-over until the unit rests
PC2 - no carry-over unless encircled
Quick suppression recovery in PC2 reduces the tactical options for the player and direct attack usually more viable compare to encirclement.
Winner: OOB
Cross-class unit upgrades
OOB - yes, via unit switch action, no experience penalty
PC2 - yes, via similar unit class (vehicles, planes), experience penalty present
Winner: PC2
Looking forward to your feedback
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Equality
